Posted on Monday, May 29, 2017

After hearing about the World Scholar’s Cup from one of my friends, I immediately jumped at the thought of participating. My friend had described it as a wonderful experience to learn new things while forging friendships and creating unforgettable memories at the same time. I have always been academically and creatively inclined. So, I thought the World Scholar’s Cup would be the perfect place for me to strengthen my skills as well as to broaden my understanding of all subjects. After the two days I spent participating, I can say that my goal was achieved.

Being part of one of the teams that signed up late, my teammates and I had only a weekend to study the six subjects required for the actual competition. Nevertheless, we worked non-stop for those two days, dividing our work to make sure we had covered everything. Since the theme of this year’s competition was ‘an unlikely world’, the subject themes ranged from the history of conspiracy to predicting the future.

Even though we were underprepared, my friends and I managed to do well in the India round, as it was not just our bookish knowledge that was tested, but also our creative, collaborative and general knowledge. Personally, I won nine medals, including that for the best debater and best overall in the Scholar’s Challenge, a multiple-choice quiz based on all subjects. Our team also managed to advance to the global round scheduled to be held in Athens, Greece, in July 2017. The thought of scavenger hunts, keynote speeches, panel discussions, debates, scholar’s ball and more that await us in July is enthralling.

To help in our preparation, our school has arranged for Mr Salil Singh, the managing director of a nonprofit, Behes - Debate for All!, to conduct a five-day workshop with all the advancing scholars. The workshop will consist of an analysis of our subjects, mock questions and quizzes, as well as an insight into better debating. Similarly, every Friday, one of our English teachers in school conducts public speaking sessions, to help improve our confidence and quick thinking. In addition, my teammates and I utilise whatever time we have in school, and at home, to prepare for the global round.

Apart from being competitive, the World Scholar’s Cup competition also allows for global interactions, to make this experience even more beneficial cross-culturally. During the global round in Athens, I will be a part of the Scholar’s Bowl, as well as of the Scholar’s Scavenge, both of which will allow me to interact with fellow participants from all over the world. While dancing the night away and taking part in quirky challenges while exploring a new city, I am sure my new friendships will last a lifetime. I am humbled to learn that I will be participating alongside students from more than 50 countries and from cities as diverse as Ulaanbaatar, Adelaide, Istanbul and Vancouver.

Thanks to this experience, I find myself always making connections with the world around me, be it a TV show I watch, a novel I read, a song I hear or a new invention I see on the news. I am grateful for this opportunity, and cannot wait for the global round.

(Lasya from Pathways school, Gurgaon, won three golds, five silvers and the medal for
global advancement at the India regional round of the event in January 2017)